Tom Croft Out For The Season

Knee ligament damage has ruled England and Leicester flanker Tom Croft out of this year’s Six Nations and the entire Aviva Premiership.

The British and Irish Lion, who missed the majority of last season with a broken neck, has been side-lined once again after tearing his cruciate ligament in Leicester’s first Premiership game against Worcester last weekend.

The injury was sustained in a late tackle on Croft; however, not knowing its seriousness, the flanker carried on for the rest of the game, seeing his side home with a 32-15 win.

Leicester director of rugby, Richard Cockerill said that “Tom had a bang on the knee at the end of Sunday's game which seemed innocuous,” when he spoke to the Daily Express.

“But it felt sore the next morning and, after further investigation, it appears the damage is to the ACL, the (anterior) cruciate (ligament). He has had surgery on that, and it is likely his season is over.

"It is horrendous bad luck for Tom. He came back from a neck injury last year to play so well for Leicester, England and the British and Irish Lions. But these things happen in sport.

"He will make a full recovery, but it takes time. It is a big blow for him and for us, but we will look forward to welcoming him back when he has fully recovered."

Croft was out for an entire eight months of last year’s season with a nasty neck injury; however, he soon returned to his best when he came back into the game. Croft worked his way back into the England side and started the final RBS Six Nations game against Wales in Cardiff.

After further impressing in Leicester’s successful road to the Premiership title, he was selected to represent the British and Irish Lions in Australia.

The flanker played for the Lions back in 2009 in South Africa as well; featuring in all three test matches and returning as one of the players of the tour.

Croft was a key player in this summer’s tour of Australia, helping the Lions to win the test series – their first tour win since 1997 in South Africa.

Alongside Croft’s 5 test caps for the Lions, he has also won 38 caps for England since making his debut against France in 2008.

Croft was recently selected for the current England elite squad; however, now both England and Stuart Lancaster will have to press on without him as the team prepares for an autumn schedule that features Australia, Argentina and New Zealand at Twickenham.

England coach Lancaster said on Twitter that “It’s really tough on Tom, having worked so hard to come back after his neck injury.

“He is in good hands with the Leicester medical team and our own medics will be in regular contact with them to help him in his recovery. We wish him all the best.”

England’s first match in the 2013 Autumn Internationals Series is on the second of November as they welcome Australia to Twickenham.